Miscellaneous (or whatever the spelling is)

I read someone recently on HTR who was complaining about the lack of interesting trade rumors (hem hem mojo :)), so I decided to write a quick summary of what we’re hearing these days on internet, or what I consider could be potential trades between teams. I won’t write the cap hit or each team after each trade, but consider they WILL stay under the cap with these trades.

The Bieksa Watch

With Shane O’Brien landing in Vancouver, the Nucks have 6 potential top-4 blueliners. Ohlund, Salo, Bieksa, Edler, Mitchell and O’Brien can all handle top minutes. So one of them must clearly go. The odd man out is likely Kevin Bieksa. He’s the only veteran without a no-trade clause, he has good upside, nice offensive potential and a decent contract. Vancouver needs top 6 forwards, so let’s make a swap with New Jersey.

Vancouver finally has a decent 2nd line with Raymond-Demitra-Zubrus, they get a young 6th d-man in Greene and a good prospect with top lines potential in Vrana. New Jersey gets a solid top pairing d-man in Bieksa and a great affordable 3rd line forward in Pyatt to take Zubrus’ spot.

The Gaborik Watch

According to a reporter at the Star Tribune (the name was not written)(http://rumeursdetransactions.com/articles/08/10/06-gaborik_los_angeles.php it’s in french though, sorry), Marian Gaborik could be heading to LA pretty soon. He’s saying Patrick O’Sullivan could be heading back to Minnesota due to his contract limbo, with a high draft pick and/or a top rookie like Ted Purcell.

Given the recent injuries to Jason Williams (out for the year) and Scott Walker (out for 6 weeks), Jim Rutherford could very well take a look at Gaborik. He has not much to offer in terms of high end prospects, but he could offer a package of Zac Boychuk, Casey Borer and a high draft pick. Matt Cullen could also drag attraction for Minne. But if there’s a bidding war between Carolina and Los Angeles, my money goes on LA.

Of course, the constant rumor of Staal+pick/prospect vs Gaborik still floats around, but given the recent injuries to Gonchar and Whitney, this trade will wait a long time, the Pens likely wanting to hold onto the very-responsible-defensively-Jordan-Staal.

Peter Schaefer on waivers

According to Pezzz (lol), Peter Schaefer could be heading back to Ottawa. If he’s put on re-entry waivers, Bryan Murray could very well look to him, given Ottawa’s need for secondary scoring and the good chemisty he had with center Mike Fisher a couple year ago. If he’s claimed on re-entry waivers, only half of his salary (2.1 millions) would count on the cap. At 1.05 millions, Schaefer would provide nice depth on the 3rd line with Fisher.

Detroit looking to trade a d-man

Kyle Quicey’s name has popped up a lot in trade rumors lately. Detroit Red Wings are very close to the NHL salary cap, even with Chelios and McCarthy on the Injury List. They have 8 d-men under NHL contracts and a few nhl ready d-men in Grand Rapids (Ericsson, Kindl), so they’re looking to trade away someone. Teams looking for affordable defensive depth like Anaheim, Buffalo, Calgary (if they trade Aucoin), Chicago (if they trade Seabrook or Barker for a 2nd line center), Los Angeles, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh (until Whitney and Gonchar come back), and St-Louis could very well make a call to Ken Holland about Kyle Quincey.

Adrian Aucoin on the move?

According to a lot of rumors, Adrian Aucoin may leave Calgary soon. His 4 millions salary makes him too pricey for the Flames’ payroll and the return of Mark Giordano + the emergence of Adam Pardy make him expendable to the eyes of Darryl Sutter (idiot). The teams looking for a top 4 puck-mover though (Boston, Phoenix, Colombus, Buffalo, New Jersey) don’t have much forwards that match Sutter/Keenan style to offer. Maybe Aucoin + Primeau for Zubrus and Oduya, or Aucoin + high pick to Colombus for Fred Modin and Kris Russell?

Michael Nylander to Washington?

Although he has a no-movement clause, a LOT of rumors are sending Nylander to Chicago, who are lacking a 2nd line center sice Lang was traded to Montreal. What should the Hawks give to obtain him? Maybe Seabrook + Kontiola + pick vs Nylander + Morrisson? Washington could very well use another top 4 puck-mover to play with Jeff Schultz on the 2nd pairing. Brian Pothier is likely out until 2020. Morrisson rugged play would fit well with Barker on Chicago’s 2nd pairing.

Tim Connolly to Florida?

This one is coming straight outta my head. With Roy, Pominville, Hecht, Afinogenov, Vanek, Gaustad, Stafford, Kotalik and Paille being locks for the top 9 spots at forward for Buffalo, we may question the place of the often-injured but extremely talented Tim Connolly on the depth chart. His spot is clearly a top 2 center on almost any team. Buffalo are lacking another physical d-man on the back-end though. I can see Connolly heading to Florida for Karlis Skrasins and a pick.

Nashville looking for top 6 forward

With the departure or Alexander Radulov for Russia, the Preds are looking to add scoring depth. They have a lot of young d-men and could use one of them as trade bait. My idea is Ville Koistinen (young puck-mover with huge upside) + draft pick to Boston for Phil Kessel. But would David Poile be willing to take another chance at a young low-work-ethic forward?

Kyle McLaren on waivers

Kyle McLaren, a heavy physical d-man, was put on waivers today. His 2.5 millions salary was a burden as a 7th d-man for San Jose. He could fit well as the 6th d-man for a team like Phoenix or St-Louis though. I can see the Yotes claiming him, as they’re looking seriously to make the playoffs this year and because David Hale sucks real bad, even as a #6.

That’s it for today, I hope you enjoyed. Now, let’s hear your own trade proposals!